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Short Story: UAlbany recorded its first shutout since 2014 and freshman running back Karl Mofor scored two touchdowns to help the Great Danes earn a victory.

Key stats

UAlbany’s defense limited Morgan State to just 11 first downs.

The Great Danes rushed for 197 yards, led by Karl Mofor’s 98.

Key plays

QB Will Brunson opened the scoring with 5:48 left in the second quarter, launching a 34-yard touchdown pass to WR Jordan Crockett.

On back-to-back carries in the third quarter, RB Karl Mofor scampered 18 yards to the 4-yard line, then barreled up the middle for a touchdown run on the next play. His TD gave the Great Danes a 13-0 lead.

Quote

Head coach Greg Gattuso: "All in all, I'm happy with the win. It's tough. We've had two weeks of road trips to begin the season. We're looking for some home cookin' next week, that's for sure."

Recap

The University at Albany football team’s defense pitched a shutout and freshman running back Karl Mofor piled up 98 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Great Danes to 26-0 victory over Morgan State on Saturday.

Playing in front of a few dozen friends and family members at Hughes Stadium, Mofor, a native of Greenbelt, Md., scored on touchdown runs of 4 and 29 yards in the third quarter, the second of which opened up a 23-0 lead.

Ethan Stark also kicked field goals of 32 and 41 yards and wide receiver Jordan Crockett caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Will Brunson, as the Great Danes bounced back from last week’s 31-17 loss at Old Dominion.

UAlbany’s defense never allowed Morgan State, of the MEAC, to gain any momentum. The Bears, coming off a 10-0 loss to Towson last week, were limited to just 11 first downs. A week after forcing three turnovers at Old Dominion, UAlbany recovered two fumbles and blocked a punt.

The shutout was UAlbany’s first since a 19-0 victory over Central Connecticut State on Sept. 6, 2014.

The Great Danes struck first with 5:48 left in the second quarter. Brunson heaved a 34-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline for Crockett, who broke free from his defender inside the 10 and darted into the end zone.

UAlbany carried the 7-0 lead into halftime.

The Danes’ defense held the Bears to just 79 yards in the first half, and special teams produced two big plays. Hayden Specht blocked a punt in the first quarter, and on the ensuing kickoff after Crockett’s touchdown, UAlbany forced and recovered a fumble.

On the Great Danes’ first drive after halftime, Mofor dashed 18 yards to set up a first-and-goal from the 4, then scored on the next play.

Ethan Stark added a field goal with 2:55 left in the third, and Mofor scored his second touchdown with just 17.8 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Stark’s 41-yard field goal with 8:48 to play closed the scoring.

The Great Danes play their home opener next Saturday against Monmouth at Casey Stadium.